21 December 2016. Nice walk turns into doggie road movie.

It was a gorgeous day of sunshine. The perfect morning.

Once more, having debated the wisdom of hiring a scooter, I set off on a walk away from the town. This took me past the Nature Lodge hotel which I had heard about and decided to take a look at. A couple of nice dogs greeted me at the entrance and pretty much escorted me to reception, On the way I took the odd picture of the hotel's horses and cattle.

When I left, I said good bye to the dogs. Bad move. They decided to join more on my walk. Off we went up the hill, the bolder one in front and the more timid one behind. I kept telling them 'go home' and pointing. They took no notice.

Whenever I thought they were bound to turn back the bold one raced on. After about fifteen minutes we got to the end of their road and I turned right. Surely, now they would go home. Not a bit of it. Soon they were back with me, despite my entreaties to go home. On I went and gradually they fell behind and got distracted with smells along the way at one point going to explore a pond.

Great, I thought; I've shaken them off. But each time I thought it, I'd look round and there they were. I got a few pictures of the countryside as well as my followers, but they were on my mind.

After a further half an hour of up hill and down dale, I reached the main road, still with my shadows appearing just when I thought I'd clinched it. I remonstrated with them as best I could and the more timid of them seemed to set off home. The other however, just sought the shade of a bush and hid. So I set off up the main road, turned round and Oh no, there he was trailing behind me. We went past three rude dogs and he got into a squabble which served only to bond him to me further. I was given the role of owner with its attendant responsibilities

We reached a hotel and I thought, that's enough. The dog was exhausted and I was quite tired. I eventually persuaded the owner of the guest house to phone the Nature Lodge and collect their hound. I bought a beer and  sat with the dog at my feet waiting for its taxi. That was, when he was not picking a quarrel with our host's dog!

Luckily the Nature Lodge people came quite quickly and I continued on my way, passed some nice geese and some good views.

This took me into town and I eventually got back to my accommodation after four hours in the steamy sun. A nice day but I'll be careful engaging dogs in conversation again!

Bringing this animal day to a close, I was shocked by the huge frog on my bathroom door.

Then, at the Chilli bar another dog came and adopted me.